Red lights mean nothing

Recently my neighbor had his brand new car crushed by somebody who thinks traffic control devices are merely suggestions. That event, coupled with my own frustration trying to teach my five year-old how to safely navigate our city streets, lead to this little project.

It is not hyperbole to say that if there is traffic near an intersection in Albany, somebody will blow through the light every time. While taking my infant son for walks to calm his fussing, I took along my smart phone and used its video camera to take pictures of people running red lights. After just a few short walks, I had enough footage to make my point.

This is a serious safety issue. Pedestrians are killed in and around Albany every year. When the pedestrian is dead there is often no witness to the incident other than the driver, so charges are not often filed. The anarchy on Albany’s streets greatly diminishes quality of life.

The traffic in Washington Park is especially troubling. Although the park speed limit is posted as 20 mph, this is largely ignored (I can maintain 20 mph on my bike and when doing so cars routinely blow past me). Drivers often speed up further to run “yellowish” lights despite the obvious: this is a park! Children play here!

I would love to see quality of life be a central issue in the upcoming mayoral election. It is difficult to get around in Albany: lights are not synchronized, main thoroughfares are clogged with people double parking (often near open spots), and traffic control devices are both poorly employed and largely ignored. If a city is hard to negotiate, it is not that much fun to live in.

It is well recognized by traffic engineers that excessive traffic control devices, like traffic lights, lead to problems like we see in Albany. As an example, every light on Dove Street (other than at the intersection of Washington) and every light on Willett (other than the intersection with Madison) is unnecessary. These lights lead to driver frustration – stopping every block or two for 30 to 60 seconds while no cars pass wastes fuel, increases noise pollution, and encourages drivers to speed up for yellowish lights.

The City of Albany could save money by removing unnecessary lights and make money by installing cameras to enforce the law at busy intersections. Other cities, including New York, have been using cameras for many years with great effect. Why trouble the police with tasks that are easily automated?

Making our streets easier and safer to navigate would improve the quality of life for all. The mayoral candidate that considers such a plan will certainly catch the attention of frustrated citizens all over the city.